WESTLAND PROGRESS LEAGUE

Hokitika Guardian, 28 September 1929, Page 3

WESTLAND PROGRESS LEAGUE

WESTLAND BAY MOVEMENT,

I he ni-veniont i'or a W'estland Bay t.i tne next Canterbury Winter Show (...ugust was advanced another hia s e i..t a meeting held under the ai.SjiLc.i or Luo local League at the Comely Chambers yesterday afternoon. There were present: Dr Teiclimniann (voted to the 'Chair)., Messrs B. Ward, County Chairman, \V. J). I'unackay, A. W. Peebles (Boss), W. E. Richards, C. Vvobh, D. J. Evans, H. G. Coles, In. Fairlie, W. AA Jamieson (Koiterangi), J. Monk '(Koßatahi)’ Jolm Murdoch (Ross), T.W: Bruce, and J. J. Mclntosh. Apology was made on behalf of the Mayor (Mr Perry) and a letter of apology was received from Stuart and Chapman Ltd (Ross). The Chairman stated the object of the meeting was to go into the matter of taking part in the next Canterbury Winter Show in competition | with the. district bays of the East ! Coast. Free space with a frontage of JbO feet was granted and f organisation expenses up to £7O allowed. It seemed an opportunity which should be availed’ of to; bring the resources of the district before. the Canterbury public. Mr Evans said he had brought the matter before the Progress League for the purpose of assisting to advertise the capabilities of Westland. At the late Winter Show they had advertised successfully the scenic attractions of the district and after seeing the Canterbury Bay exhibits arid having in mind the excellent displays made at the Kokatahi shows lie thought the district could compete and obtain some distinction. To secure the £7O grant for organisation expenses it was .necessaiy to score 40 per cent of the points of the winning Bay, and lie felt sure Westland could do that. Mr Evans referred Vo the resources of the district as displayed at the- New Zealand Exhibition in 1903 when the late G. J. Roberts was in charge of the West Coast Court. Particulars of that very line display were on record and could form the basis of the display n'w proposed. Reference was made to the groups of exhibits arid the points available, and Mr 'Evans stated these groups could bo extended. They might ask for groups for mineral de- | posits and scenic features, and more | liberal points for timber products. i Through those . channels a Westland Buy would have the opportunity of making up points which might be Lst in other groups for which the ,-climate here ..was, .not satisfactory. •The o&a&bn %as~a unique opening for advertising Westland and drawing attention to its settlement prospects, and thereby bring more settlers into the- district. ~,; .'j-.’ Mr B. Ward was’’pleased to attend' the meeting, and lie thought after what he-had hoard that it would be a huge mistake to stand out. By- accepting the invitation'•- .the produce-.'of the district could he', displayed, ; and people would obtain a "different idea of the Coast to that usually prevailing. Visitors often admitted they had changed their ideas of the Coast after a visit to the district. An excellent display of timber • could be made including white ipine—the finest in the world for packing butter and cheese. Ross lime was tlie finest in the Dominion having a high percentage of carbonate. Their butter and cheese was of a high quality. . Dairy . lands were cheaper on’the Coast than other parts of Now Zealand. He was sure the quality of Westland produce would attract attention. They also could show the best in honey. The opossum industry also lent itself to a fine exhibit. Many home-made , commodities could be referred- to., ■ He mentioned blackberry >v.ino in par-, ticular, and of the displays in the Kokatalii-Koiterangi Bays. They. were, a credit to any district. .Mr < Wardhoped something practical would, bo done to advertise the district ..and remove the ignorance prevailing about the resources of Westland. Ho. com- * plimentecl tho Progress League in . bringing the matter forward.. v . . Mr Jolm Murdoch .remarked. , that visitors to Ross were surprised at 'the quality of the produce from that c locality. He added there were great possibilities for honey in Westland—if the Honey Producers Board could be knocked on the head. He was satisfied that literally Westland was a land flowing’with milk and honey. Mr W. A. Jamieson said he attended ttlie meeting to glean information. August was rather late for Westland, produce, and lie,-asked, the date might, he fixed earlier. He recognised the importance of advertising. , Mr W. D. Mackay thought if subcommittees were set up they could go into details. Some preliminaries of that nature would meet the case. Mi- W. E. Richards moved that\tlie Progress League be constituted . the Executive Committee and that the Executive of the Kokatalii-Koiterangi Show, and the Town Clerk of Boss iincl Mr John Murdoch he associated ivitli the Executive Committee, with rower to add to their number. Mr (Yard seconded the motion which was landed. Mr Bruce referred to the quality if oats produceable in the district. i,1.50 what could be done with fibre tnd wood-pulp. He tpraised the league for its efforts to advertise Beautiful Westland, now tlie League vas on the right track, in the enleavour to advertise Beautiful West- ( and. Some splendid Herefords could Iso he sent over from Westland. Mr C. Webb said there were sev-

eral country shotvs round about Christchurch which were held earlier than tiie Winter Show, if they would meet the objection, about''the date. \ Un oenalf of the Westland County Council, Mr Ward said the local body would be pleased to assist in any way possible, it was a very laudable ob-jq-t, entirely in the interests of the i uture of the district. \h Mr Monk did not speak verjr enI coin ;urinc.rly about the interest iii tue project in the Kokatahi district. own show in June took up a great deal. or time and,, they did not rtceive. much support .with exhibits or competition- from other parts of the uisinet. By the time .their, Show was disposed of they were lpostly tired of .t.. nil he doubted if there would bt 1 a great deal of support to the project. He said the farmers : excursion ... »• * -if.- . * • '* V : '••<•-• i { ains vvere the best way to advertise tiir- district. ,: '• • f " Mr N. Fairlie, who was in chargg of the Westland scenic stand at tho »v inter allow, thought Westland cou,ld make a creditable showing! against the Canterbury Bays lie had id 11. ) , Mr Mclntosh thought they should . not be disheartened by anything said but should go ahead, with the proposal. Those who could not assist with, exhibits would help with finance. • Mr Bruce moved to meet the wighes or Messrs Monk and.. Jamieson tliafj the League-.arrange to visit Arahura and Kokatahi with a yioiv to arourj jug iocal interest, and this was agreed to. ■: - f •; ■ The meeting. , concluded at 3.55 o’clock.